January 2, 2021 Issue, Page 4 of 8

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January 2, 2021 Sports Stoner ending college career in bowl game, ready to take chance on NFL Jason Elmquist, Stillwater for 247 yards and three touch- the next level a shot, so I feel and five touchdowns over a four- "haven't thought about that "We've had a lot of guys really NewsPress downs in the absence of star re- like I have a good opportunity game span — with a high of five too much," Stoner said. "I feel grow up and matured a lot over ceiver Tylan Wallace, "as my last to do so. Like I said, I've had a catches for 150 yards and two like I'm comfortable with what the season, got a lot of reps — Dillon Stoner has Oklahoma game, was definitely something fantastic career here, wouldn't scores against Kansas. T have on film with the things maybe just haven't seen as much State orange pulsing through very special for me.” change it for the world, but it's "He's as steady as a rock. that I've been able to show, so on Saturday. his blood. He confirmed that notion just time to move on to the next He comes in every day, he's a just going to give this last game “But guys are going to step up His mother attended college prior to the Cowboys heading to thing." worker just like Tylan is — re- my all and hopefully go out on a and fill in. You'll see more young at Oklahoma State University, the Cheez-It Bowl in Orlando, Dillon Stoner won't go down ally athletic, just like Tylan is," high note." guys like Rashod (Owens), Bren- so he grew up in Oklahoma as a Florida, where Oklahoma State in the record books of Oklaho- said Kasey Dunn, Oklahoma He has at least caught the eye nan Presley, the list goes on and Cowboy fan. will face the University of Mi- ma State football — though his State offensive coordinator and of some draft experts. on. So I know they're going to He was one of the select frac- ami to conclude one of the most outing against the Bears made receivers coach, "We just haven't ESPN's NFL Draft rankings, continue to work hard and keep tion of Oklahoma football play- unique college football seasons. a push for them, as it was the thrown the football probably as have Stoner listed among the adding great names in the Olda- ers who actually got the oppor- ‘The Cheez-It Bowl will be his fi- third-highest single-game total much over the last couple years. wide receivers in their rankings homa State receiving corps.” tunity to live out the dream of nal game in an OSU uniform. in program history. So he hasn't gotten the numbers — though he ranks 36th out of While he may be at peace with playing Division I football. But “ve had a great five years It was just a glimpse of the that maybe we did in that 2017 the 37 that the website ranks. his decision to hang up his Cow- now, he wants to shift his dream here — redshirting my fresh- potential he has shown at times season that I just talked about, He is ranked No. 217 overall, to the next level. man year — and being able to within the program. alluding to with James (Wash- which would put him in the sev- boy uniform after one last ride, it doesn't mean it wouldn't be Stoner had made reference to play a full four seasons was defi- A year earlier, under similar ington) and Marcell (Ateman) enth round to undrafted free an emotional moment when he Baylor — the regular season fi- nitely a blessing," Stoner said. circumstances with Wallace out and Chris Lacy. That group was agent area. takes off the orange and black nale — that having a career day, "It's just time. I'm about to turn due to injury, the Jenks native loaded." Perhaps aiding in his decision in which he had eight catches 23 next year, andI want to give caught 16 passes for 366 yards With his performance against to focus on the future, is seeing jersey for the final time follow- Baylor, Stoner eclipsed the 100- the future of the receiver group ing the bowl game. yard receiving mark for the fifth for Oklahoma State first hand. “Oh man, it's gonna be tough,” time in his career — with a pair ‘There are several other seniors Stoner admitted. "Probably be OKC Thunder: Five takeaways in 2017, another in the upset of No. 7-ranked West Virginia in on the roster who very well may take advantage of the extra year, pretty emotional, but like I said, Tve had one hell of a time here but there is also a budding group and I wouldn't trade it for the from loss to Orlando Magic 2018 and the Kansas game last season. of young talent — such as red- world." So with those flashes, was shirt freshman Langston Ander- "He's one of the reasons why there any thought of taking ad- son and true freshman Brennan Tylan (Wallace) came back — he Joe Mussatto, The Oklahoman score nine of the Thunder's first Dort has opened the season of the NCAA eligibility Presley — ready to take over for just wanted to play with Dillon 22 points. Midway through the with three straight games of 15- vantage Stoner again." ‘The Magic stayed undefeated first quarter he turned down an plus points. He had three such demic and play due waiver granted one to the pan- the likes of Wallace and Stoner. more year "We're in really good shape Kasey Dunn (4-0) Tuesday night at Chesa- open 3-pointer and drove to the games all of last season. — likely as the feature receiver with the young guys that we OSU offensive coordinator on peake Energy Arena with a 118- basket, finishing a floater over 107 win against the Thunder Magic forward Dwayne Bacon. in the Oklahoma State offense? have right now,” Stoner said. Dillon Stoner (1-2). He added a highlight dunk Cheez-It Bowl notebook: Oklahoma State’s Here are five takeaways from in the fourth quarter, blowing the game: by Magic center Nikola Vucevie Surprise starters after breaking Vucevic's ankles. Thunder starters Al Horford Roby ended his night with 19 (rest) and George Hill (neck spasms) were out Monday night, and coach Mark Daigneault Tylan Wallace sits out second half; Miami's points and seven rebounds on 9-of-12 shooting. Rookie watch the rim and put back his own D’Eriq King injures knee looked deep on his bench to re-Aleksej Pokusevski drove to place them. Justin Jackson and Isaiah miss. The third-quarter basket Roby were awarded not only was the first of Pokusevski's ca- their first starts of the season, reer. It broke an 0-of-14 drought Scott Wright, The Oklahoman tion,” finished 19-of-34 for 228 yards Rodriguez is returning for a but also their first minutes of to start his rookie season. Dunn took responsibility for and two touchdowns, rallying fifth season, he told Pokes Re- the season. Neither played in Pokusevski was just 1-of-8 ORLANDO, Fla. — On OSU's the timing of the change. the Hurricanes to within a score port and the OSU radio pregame the Thunder's first two games. from the floor, but he recorded first offensive snap of the game, “[ want to protect that kid, in the final minutes. show ahead of Tuesday's Cheez~ "These guys are all in the NBA six rebounds and three assists. Oklahoma State quarterback for sure,” Dunn sai told him Gundy gets Cheez-It bath It Bowl against Miami. for a reason,” Daigneault said. Theo Maledon continued to Spencer Sanders completed a that early on, going into the Oklahoma State coach Mike A 5-foot-11, 220-pound Wag- “They're all here for a reason, flash his excellent court vision. pass to Tylan Wallace, giving the bowl, ‘I'm going to protect you. I Gundy recently expressed his oner product, Rodriguez has and we never want to underes- He had seven points with three senior receiver his 200th career know you've got a future in this love for Cheez-Its. been a model of consistency in timate one of our own players. assists and two turnovers, reception — and becoming the game. So that’s 100% on me as On Tuesday night, he got a the middle of the Cowboys’ de- ‘Those guys have sat over there Rookie two-way player Josh fifth player in Cowboy history to far as who played and when. I bath in them, Gatorade celebra- fense. for a couple games." Hall made his NBA debut. He reach the mark. told him before the game, be- tion style. “T talked to my family and the Jackson started on the wing missed his only shot attempt in Wallace finished with six fore we even left the hotel that After the postgame hand- biggest thing was coming back in place of Hill, and Roby started 47 seconds of playing time. receptions for 45 yards, not I wanted to see Tay (Martin) in shake of the head coaches, and getting my degree,” Rodri- at center. Tuesday was the first Post defense playing after halftime of the the second half, and for Tylan to OSU's Tre Sterling and Brennan guez said. “Since I switched my start of Roby's NBA career. It ‘There wasn't much of it for Cowboys’ 37-34 Cheez-It Bowl be prepared to sit down.” Presley tracked down Gundy major so late, I'm supposed to was the 58th start for Jackson. the Thunder without Horford. victory on Tuesday at Camping Wallace finished his career and dumped a Gatorade bucket finish next fall, so that was the World Stadium. behind Rashaun Woods (293 of the cheesy crackers on him. big, important part. And I feel Mike Muscala and Hamidou Orlando outscored OKC 72- like I can work on some key Diallo seemed like the most 58 in the paint led by Vucevic, His early departure had been receptions), Justin Blackmon It was a fitting way to close points in my game.” likely options to start in place of who missed just six shots while discussed as a possibility before (253), James Washington (226) out the bowl game, which ended He moved to linebacker last Horford and Hill, but they both scoring 28 points with 10 re- the game in conversations be- and Hart Lee Dykes (224), OSU's season with an 8-3 record. season and led the team with stayed with the second unit. bounds and five assists. tween Wallace, coach Mike Gun- ‘Wallace also finished his ca- “The Cheez-It bath is much 103 tackles, which was fourth And both had big games. "We were a little light in dy and offensive coordinator reer with 3,434 receiving yards, better than the ice-cold Gato- in the Big 12. He was named the Muscala converted a four- the paint tonight defensively Kasey Dunn. Gundy admitted also fifth-most in OSU history. rade at my age,” Gundy said. team’s Leslie O’Neal Award win- point play early in the fourth and that's something we've that the second-quarter injury Miami QB King injures knee “['m really happy for our players. ner, which is given to the defen- quarter. He finished with 14 gotta learn from and address," to Miami quarterback D’Eriq in second quarter ‘This win might be as gratifying sive MVP. points and five rebounds. Daigneault said. King reinforced the decision. Already trailing 21-7 in the win for me, personally, selfishly, This season, Rodriguez is sec- Diallo gave the Thunder a Vucevic broke Nick Ander- “We had just talked with second quarter, the Miami of- as any that I've had in my career, ond on the team with 81 tack- burst of energy off the bench. son's Orlando franchise re- (Wallace) that at some point, we fense took a hit when King suf- just seeing the exhilaration and les. He also has three sacks, two He scored 13 points with eight cord for most field goals made wanted to get some of the other fered a right knee injury. He got enjoyment on the players’ faces forced fumbles and a fumble rebounds and two steals. (4,076). players in the game that were hurt only moments after rush- after the game.” recovery. Rodriguez began his "Tlike to come in and do all the SGA leads offense gonna be there next year,” Gun- ing for a touchdown that was Holcomb absent from radio career as a safety. dirty work and clean things up," Shai _Gilgeous-Alexander dy said. “And we want to protect negated by a holding penalty. booth ‘The NCAA granted an extra Diallo said. "I feel like when I do scored 23 points with seven re- him. There’s always things in the After the injury, Miami was held The Oklahoma State radio year of eligibility to all players that I uplift the whole team, and bounds, seven assists and five back of your mind that happen. toa field goal. broadcast was down one person, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. l uplift the whole team's energy turnovers. I'm not so sure that what took King’s right knee appeared to with color commentator John Rodriguez likely won't be the and the whole team's spirit." Tt was another solid per- place with Miami's quarterback buckle just before he was tackled Holcolmb missing the game fol- only OSU player to take advan- Roby makes most of chance formance for the 22-year-old didn’t have a little bit of affect by OSU's Tre Sterling. King im- lowing the passing of his father, tage of the extra year. Roby was traded from the guard. He shot 8-of-10 overall on us. I'm not saying that we mediately grasped the knee and Daniel Holcomb, on Sunday. Sterling, who is a fourth-year Mavericks to the Thunder last and made all three of his 3-point had a plan for an exact point in rolled on the ground in pain. He ‘OSU did not replace Holcomb junior, announced after the season, but his rookie year was attempts as the Magic tried to the game, was helped slowly to the locker in the booth. Instead, sideline game that he will return next cut short due to a foot injury. force the ball to anyone but Gil- “Obviously, he’s got a future room just before halftime and reporter Robert Allen provided season as well. He only logged three games geous-Alexander. that very few people have an later returned to the sideline additional analysis, but re- Other Cowboys stars have and missed the only shot he at- "I expect a lot of that going opportunity for, so myself and wearing street clothes and walk- mained on the field during the elected to go to the NFL, though. tempted. forward, but I feel like I handled Coach Dunn were very protec- ing with crutches. game. Chuba Hubbard, Teven Jenkins Roby's first NBA bucket came it OK," Gilgeous-Alexander said. tive of him. We made the choice To that point, King had com- Rodriguez to return for sixth and Rodarius Williams have all Tuesday night — a 3-pointer "Had a few too many turnovers.” at that time to let some of the pleted 10 of 13 passes for 113 year elected to prepare for the draft. from the top of the arc. Luguentz Dort also stayed other players get in and com- yards and a touchdown, to go Oklahoma State received a big Dillon Stoner also announced The former second-round hot, making 3-of-7 3-point at- pete, so we just didn’t have to with 18 rushing yards. boost for the 2021 season. that the bowl game would be his pick out of Nebraska went on to tempts for a 15-point game. hold our breath in that situa- N’Kosi Perry replaced him and Senior linebacker Malcolm last. Oklahoma State football passes final test of pandemic season with Cheez-It Bowl win over Miami Berry Tramel, The Oklahoman Martin, who entered the game 34 passes for 228 yards and two ‘They just didn’t always catch carried eight times for just 18 pass-heavy scheme that shocked yards; only one of those runs touchdowns. with nine catches, had six for 73 the ball. Dee Wiggins dropped even Miami coach Manny Diaz. ORLANDO, Fla. — OSU's 37- yards against Miami, including a was a scramble, a five-yard gain Takeaway capitalization: B. a deep ball in the second quar- The Cowboys’ first 15 snaps 34 victory over Miami in the diving grab on third down that on the play in which he was in- The Cowboys lost at Texas ter, Mark Pope dropped a deep were pass plays — this against Cheez-It Bowl on Tuesday night set up a third-quarter field goal jured, after being upended by Christian because they failed ball off a flea flicker in the third a team that gave up 554 yards was a wild affair, with wide- and a 35-yard gain off a deep safety Tre Sterling. to take advantage of five take- quarter and Wiggins dropped a rushing in its previous game, swinging performances on both ball that set up a fourth-quarter Backup QB capitalization: D. aways, That problem persisted low screen pass that would have against North Carolina. But offense and defense. The Cow- touchdown. Spencer Sanders Without King, Miami turned after Miami’s Mike Harley fum- gone for a touchdown. Instead, Mike Gundy said Miami’s quick- boy grades reflect such a crazy launched 40 passes, and the to backup N’Kosi Perry. The bled a punt that OSU’s Thomas Miami settled for a field goal. ness at linebacker made OSU game. only drop was by Presley, a play Miami offense got a lot better. Harper recovered at the Hur- OSU's defensive backs made fear the run game would be lim- Receivers: A. before his 30-yard touchdown In four King possessions, the ricane 41-yard line late in the some huge plays — freshman ited. Give offensive coordinator ‘Tylan Wallace played only the catch in the first quarter. Hurricanes scored 10 points. first half. But the Cowboys went cornerback Korie Black replaced Kasey Dunn credit — the early first half and wasn’t thrown to Containing King: A. In eight Perry possessions, the nowhere and punted. However, the injured Jarrick Bernard- salvo worked. OSU took a 21-0 after a six-catch first quarter. Quarterback D’Eriq King has Hurricanes scored 24 points. in the third quarter, with OSU Converse in the fourth quarter lead in the first quarter, when its But OSU's other receivers filled been a running terror at both OSU stopped Miami on its final leading 24-19, Cowboy Brock and made a big breakup on an- pass/run ratio was 20/5. Miami in quite ably. Freshman Brennan Houston and Miami, but OSU two drives, but Perry’s first five Martin recovered a Miami fum- other deep ball — but Miami’s increased its pressure after that Presley, with only one catch all mostly corralled him before drives of the second half ended ble, and the Cowboys embarked drops might have been the dif- and brought the Cowboy offense season, had six catches for 118 King left the game in the fi- field goal, touchdown, botched ona 48-yard touchdown drive. ference in the games. down to Earth, but the quick yards and three touchdowns. nal five minutes of the second handoff, touchdown, —touch- Pass coverage: C. Game plan: A. start allowed OSU to lead wire Washington State transfer Tay quarter with a leg injury. King down. Perry completed 19 of ‘The Hurricanes often got free. OSU opened the game with a to wire.